Whole-genome scan of eight Iranian native cattle breeds to detect selection signatures

This study aimed to identify genes that show signatures of selection for mutations in Iranian native cattle breeds. The data consisted of genotypes for ~777962 SNP markers of 90 animals from eight Iranian native cattle breeds distributing over the country. Therefore, the aim was to identifying divergently selected regions of the genome. Study of population differentiation across the genome using Weir and Cockerham’s FST test revealed some regions showing evidence of selection. Across the 30 bovine chromosomes (BTA), seven putative selection signatures were detected. These regions were located on chromosomes 1, 2, 7, 8, 12, 13 and X. Finally, study of the reported QTL regions in the orthologous areas of the cattle genome showed that the genomic regions identified in this study overlapped with the reported QTL representing economically important traits such as milk yield, cold tolerance and reproductive traits. Result of this research provided important information on existence of genetic diversity and selection signatures in Iranian native cattle.